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Nine boys in summer cloths slid their arms into crisp navy blue blazers. They fingered the buttons, played with the lapels and giggled self-consciously moments before their Monday morning entrance into a room of ministers and news media. “You guys look sharp,” Paul Bryant, new director of the Wesley House, told them. “I’m very proud of you.” The boys, participating in a summer academy at north Omaha’s Wesley House, weren’t the only ones making an entrance. Bryant, a former Gallup executive whose jobs in recent years have included small-business owner, Urban League interim director and Wells Fargo banker, also announced his new role. As executive director of the United Methodist Community Center, Inc. –Wesley House, his job is to get the historic nonprofit agency back on its feet. Since 2003, the organization has lost its United Way funding and affiliation, its job helping troubled youths in the court system, its director and its staff. When Bryant was hired May 16, he said the agency was $40,000 in debt. But Bryant said he was attracted to the challenge, the potential and to helping revive the 133-year-old agency. He said he has met two initial goals – raising $40,000 to cancel the debt and starting a summer academy for boys ages 7 to 10. Bryant said he is focusing on black youths because they most need the support. He wants to reach children before they make poor choices – to nurture interests in books, speech and debate, chess and other activities that stir the brain. “We’re focusing on trying to create a place where young people can just be challenged and learn,” said Dan Johnston, president of the Wesley House board. Wesley House charges $50 a week for five full days of structured activities. Boys get breakfast and lunch, exercise class, field trips and training to strengthen writing, public speaking, decision-making, character and etiquette. Uniforms, including the navy jackets, will be worn on special occasions. A few youngsters have left since the program started June 27. But the children in class Monday didn’t seem to mind showing off their firm handshakes. Some nodded when asked whether it seemed like they were still in school. But all agreed they loved the field trips and a chance to spend the day with friends. “We’re trying to make fun in learning,” explained 9-year old Khalil Grant. “And we’re doing a lot of other fun stuff.” |
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